Resting neuron:
The inside of the neuron has potassium ions (K+) and has a negative charge.
The outside of the neuron has sodium ions (Na+) and has a positive charge.

Threshold of a neuron: getting enough stimuli to create an action potential and begin opening the sodium channels.

Depolarization: sodium channels open and the sodium ions enter the cell, the inside of the cell then becomes positive and the outside becomes negative.

Repolarization: potassium channels open, which allows the potassium ions (K+) to move out of the neuron. The cells charge then becomes negative.

All or none principal: The neuron has to reach the threshold in order to produce an action potential, if the threshold isn’t met then no action potential is created. Either the nerve will fire or it wont at all.
external image action_potential.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://students.cis.uab.edu/nkm188/action_potential

external image image002.gif
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://tainano.com/